New cheaper model for 2019 Hyundai Elantra range

*New 2019 Hyundai Elantra available from $21,490

*Seven Elantra variants available for 2019

*Base manual-equipped Go misses out on AEB

*Elantra range tops out at $33,990

Hyundai’s latest update for the Elantra small sedan sees the range swell from five to seven variants, with new models at both the bottom and the top. However, its cheapest manual transmission-equipped model still misses out on basic driver safety aids like AEB.

The latest version of the five-seat, four-door Elantra was launched in 2016, and it competes against the likes of the Mazda 3 sedan, the Kia Cerato sedan, as well as the booted versions the Toyota Corolla and Holden Astra.

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The new, budget-friendly Elantra Go starts at $21,490 (plus ORCs) in manual form, and slots in beneath the previous $21,950 Elantra Active entry point, while the turbocharged Elantra Sport and Sport Premium replace the outgoing single-grade Elantra SR flagship.

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The mid-grade Elantra Elite disappears, though that void is filled by both the Active grade moving up in specification (namely, the adoption of standard sat-nav for its 8.0-inch infotainment multimedia display and an eight-speaker audio system with digital radio) and by the arrival of the Elantra Sport as a less equipment-rich turbocharged option to the Sport Premium.

The $28,990 Sport scores LED headlights, daytime running lamps and taillights, a chunkier body kit and 18-inch rims. It also adds leather-appointed sports-style seats, a black headliner, a sliding centre console lid, keyless entry and, for the dual-clutch models, a paddle-equipped sports steering wheel.

The $31,490 Sport Premium, meanwhile, also receives a sunroof, front parking sensors, an inductive phone charging pads, an extra USB port and a 10-way powered driver's seat.

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All Elantra models gain a facelifted front end with new bumper plastics, new headlamps, daytime running lights and a restyled bonnet, while at the rear the bootlid sprouts an integrated spoiler and sits atop redesigned tail lamps and a new rear bumper. New wheel designs for the Go’s 15-inch steel wheels and the Active’s 16-inch alloys round out the rest of the exterior enhancements.

On the inside, a new centre stack design groups ventilation controls across three round switches and the air vent grilles adopt a new motif. The steering wheel is also reshaped, but with no changes to its button layout. Behind the wheel sits a new 3.5-inch colour multifunction display.

Key standard equipment on the base Go includes a rear-view camera, six airbags, a full-size spare, a 7.0-inch colour touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, dusk-sensing headlamps, front and rear power windows and cruise control.

Step up to the Active, and integrated satellite navigation is added along with a digital radio tuner, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob, rear parking sensors and power folding wing mirrors.

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AEB is a cost option for the Go and Active variants, able to be added if you fork out an extra $1700 for the SmartSense package.

Thinking of buying the base Elantra Go manual? Unfortunately, the SmartSense pack (which also brings blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist and active cruise control) isn’t available at all on that particular model. The Active doesn’t suffer the same problem – it’s now an auto-only proposition.

Powertrains are carry-over, with a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated four producing 112kW and 192Nm for the Go and Active, taking power to the front wheels via a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic in the Go, or just the auto in the Active.

The Sport and Sport Premium will use the same 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine as the i30 N-Line. The engine is good for 150kW and 265Nm, and it's backed by a standard-issue six-speed manual gearbox.

A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is available for an additional $2500.

Hyundai says that all of its passenger vehicles are calibrated for local road conditions by an Australian-based suspension tuning team, which works with Hyundai's head office to improve the steering and handling package of its cars.

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Hyundai Elantra pricing:

• Hyundai Elantra Go manual - $21,490
• Hyundai Elantra Go automatic - $23,790
• Hyundai Elantra Active automatic - $25,990
• Hyundai Elantra Sport manual - $28,990
• Hyundai Elantra Sport automatic - $30,490
• Hyundai Elantra Sport Premium manual - $31,490
• Hyundai Elantra Sport Premium automatic - $33,990

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